Awning



Dec. 28, 1943. T. B. THURMAN AWN ING Filed Aug. 1 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR m m 4 J Y w M R 5 mm A Patented 1Dec...;28, 1943 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE 2,337,785 AWNING Tandy Burr Thurman, Kansas City, Mo.

Application August 1, 1942, Serial No. 453,151

. 12 Claims.

This invention relates to awnings for protecting windows or similar openings, and has for its principal object to provide an exterior awning structure adapted for readyadjustment at selected angles to exclude rain and other elements and which is equipped with louvers arranged to joints that are. eas ly manipulated from the inside of the window: and to provide an awning construction particularly adapted to be formed of available material, suchas wood.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention. as hereinafter po nted out. I have provided improveddetals f struct re. the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Fig. 1' is a perspect ve view of an awning c nstructed in accorda ce with the esent invention and composed of two un ts. the awning being shown as app ied to a window of a bui ding.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal secti n t rough t e w ndow frame and awning showing the awnin in closed position over the w ndow opening in the manner of a blind or shutter.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentarypersoecrive view of the parts composin one of the. hinge joints, the parts being shown in s aced relation.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing the awning in projecting pos tion.

Fig. 5 is a similar sectionshowing the awning in closed posit on.

Mounted within the frame 2 are one or more awning units l0, depending upon the width of the frame. For example, the awning illustrated is composed of two units, each of which includes an upper section II and a lower section l2-interconnected by hinge joints l3. The upper section includes side bars I! and I5 having a series of spaced grooves l6 formed in the facing sides thereof and sloping downwardly from adjacent the inner edges ll of the side bars toward the front edges I8 to mount the ends otslat-like louvers I 9 which may be standard Venetian blind stock. The louvers are spaced apart to provide air passageways therebetween of a width so that the lower edge 2| of an upper louver substantially'registers with the upper edge 22 of a lower louver so that when the awning is in closed position, as shown in Fig, 5, the louvers obstruct dispending to the 'window and is preferably mounted upon the face sides of the window casing 8 by fastening device, such as screws 9, that are extended through the frame members and into the window casing.

Y the direct rays of light.

rect rays of light from passing through the window. However; a port on of the light rays striking the upper faces 23 of the louvers is reflected onto the under surfaces 24 0f an adjacent upper louver and directed through the window to provide adequate illumination without the glare of The lower section also includes side bars 25 and 26 having louvers mounted in the same manner as the upper secton jus described.

The ad acent ends of the side bars are provided with half joints by notching the outer sides of the upper bars and the inner faces of the lower bars so as to provide lapping tongue-like portions 2'! and 28 that are interconnected by pivot members, such as pins 29.

In order that the hinge j oints freely operate, the upper, inner corners of the side bars of the lower section are rounded as at 30, and the inner, lower corners of the side bars of the upper section are cut at a slight angle, as indicated at 3|,

to allow the lower section to be located in a substantially horizontal position when the awning is in fully projected position shown in Fig. 4. The

tom cross-rail l, as shown in Fig. 5. The upper endsof the side bars for the upper section are interconnected by a cross-bar 33 at a point just above the uppermost louver and the cross-bar .,isarranged .so that the inner face 34 thereof seats against the outer face of the window casing when the awning is in closed position.

In order to permit projection of the awning,

the upper edge of the bar 38 is bevelled, as at 35,

to provide sufficient clearance as the awning is swung outwardly upon hinge pins 35. The hinge pins are fixed. within the ends of the side bars and project intdsockets formed in the inner face of the stiles 4 and 5 of the frame 2.

Attention is directed. to the fact that the dowels comprising the hinge joints are of sufficient length so as to'provide-clearance between the tongues 28 and 28 of the hinge connections and between the outer face of the side bars I 8 and the innerfaces of the side stiles 4-5.

The upper ends of the side bars l4 and i5 of the upper sections also carry a drip rail 31 located at substantially the same angle of inclination as the louvers and having the front edge 88 thereof projecting outwardly from the plane of the louvers, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In order to further strengthen and maintain proper'spacing of the side bars, they are interconnected by tie rods 38 and 40 positioned between selected louvers of the respective sections. The lower section is'adapted for gu ded support within vertical grooves 4| and 42 located in the facing sides of the side stiles 4 and 5, as shown in Fig. 4, the ends of the side bars being provided with pins 43 which project into the grooves. To facilitate sliding movement, the side bars may be provided adjacent the pin with chair glides 43' which bear upon the inner side faces of the stiles 4 and 5. To facilitate adjustment of the awning from the interior of the window opening, the lower crossrail of the upper sash may be provided with a bracket 44 having an opening 45 therein for passing a lifting cord 45, one end of which is secured to an eye 41 projecting from the center of the lower cross-bar 32, while the other end is adapted to anchorage to a suitable fixture 44' applied to the inner side of the window frame.

a transparent panel 58 which is of suilicient length so that the upper edge 58 abuts against the lower edge of the slat 54 when the awning is in closed position as shown in Fig. 5.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6,

uthe adjacent ends of the side bars 50 and Bi of the upper and lower sections are cut on an angle parallel with the angles of the louvers 62 and the 'side bars are connected together with ordinary hinges 63 applied to the inner edges thereof, as shown in Fig. 6. Otherwise the construction is the same as' that specified in connection with the preferred form of the invention.

In installing an awning constructed and assembled as described on the exterior of a window frame, an awning composed of a number of units I8 suflicient to extend across the width of the window 2 is provided, the units In being of a In order to secure the awning in any selected posi- In order that the awning may also be utilized as a storm sash, the inner faces of the side bars' are provided adjacent the rear edge of the louvers with grooves 49 and 50 to accommodate the edges of a transparent panel 5| that is slid thereinto from the lower ends of the side bars and which has the upper edge 52 thereof engaged in a similar groove 53 in the upper cross-bar 33. lower ends of the grooves 49 and 50 are closed by a slat 54 having its ends engaged in the grooves 49 and 58 and connected with a cross-slat 55 which bridges the space between the lower edge of the panel and the inner face of the lowermost louver, as shown in Fig. 4. The ends of the crossbar 55 are mounted in grooves 56 formed in the are provided about the marginal edges of the panel. {The side members of the lower frame are provided with similar grooves 51 to mount The.

width relative to standard size window openings so that any slight variation-in widths is compensated for in the width ofthe window casings 8. After the units are assembled in the frame 3, the frame is mounted directly against the window casing 8 and secured by the fastening devices 9. After installation of the awning the brackets 44 may be attached to the lower crossrail of the upper sash and the raising cord 46 and anchoring cord 48' are extended therethrough. v

To raise the awning the inner ends of the cords are loosened from their anchors and a pulling force is applied to the cord 45 which draws the lower end of the lower sections upwardly guided by the grooves 4| and. 42. This movement of the lower section causes the upper section to swing outwardly as shown in Fig. 4. When the awning is in adjusted position, both cords are rizawn taut and the ends secured to the fixture Attention is directed to the fact that the attaching point of the lifting cord 46 is off center with respect to the hinging points of the awning so that initial pull on the cord causes the hinge joints to move outwardly with a minimum effort on the part of the operator.

In summer the usual window screen may be applied within the window frame in which case the lifting cord is extended through an'opening in the upper cross-rail in case of a half screen or the central cross-rail in case of a full screen. In the winter the awning may be used as a storm sash by insertion of the transparent panels 5| and 58. In applying the panels the awning may be moved to the position shown in Fig. 4, and the lowermost panel 58 slid into the grooves 49 and 50 of the side bars l4 and I5 of the upper section II, far enough so that the lower edge of the panel 58 passes the hinge joint, after which the awning is moved to the position shown in Fig. 5, bringing the grooves 5'! in the lower side bars 25 and 25 into registry with the grooves 48 and 50 of the upper side bars l4 and I5, whereupon the lower panel may be shifted into position in the lower section I2. The awning is again raised to the position shown in Fig. 4, after which the panel 5| of the upper section II is inserted into the grooves 49 and 50 and retained in position by inserting the cross-slats 54 and 55. The cross-slats, being of flexible material, are easily sprung so that the ends thereof enter the grooves in which they are supported. In the summertime transparent panels may be removed by reversing the steps just described.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided an awning of the louver type which also serves the purpose of a venetian blind and a storm sash. It is obvious that the awning is of simple, inexpensive construction and may be readily applied. It is also obvious that the awning is well adapted to be constructed of wood and that the joints are free acting and will remain so even should there be slight swelling of the parts in damp weather.

'What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1-. An awning including, an upper louvered section and a lower louvered section, hinge means connecting said sections, means hinging the upper section relative to a window at the top thereof, means for guiding the lower portion of the lower section for movement vertically of said Window, and a transparent panel removably carried by each of the sections whereby the awning is adapted to be used as a storm sash.

2. An awning including, louvered sections, a frame, means supporting the sections in the' frame for movement from a blind-forming position with said frame to an awning-forming position, and a transparent panel carried by each of the sections whereby the awning is adapted to be used as a storm sash when in said blindforming position.

3. An awning including, a frame, a plurality of units in'the frame comprising an upper section and a lower section having hinged connection with the upper section, said sections having side bars provided with a series of groovelike recesses, louvers having ends disposed in the recesses'of said side bars, tie rods between selected louvers to retain the louvers in said recesses, means connecting the units together, and means hinging the interconnected units in the frame to swing from a position in the plane of the frame to a projecting'position relative to the frame.

4. An awning including, a frame, a plurality of units in the frame comprising an upper section and a lower section having hinged connection with the upper section, said sections having side bars provided with a series of groovelike recesses, louvers having ends disposed in the recesses of said side bars, tie rods between selected louvers to retain the louvers in said recesses, means connecting the units together, means hinging the upper portions of the interconnected units in the frame to swing outwardly from the frame, and means guiding the lower portion of the interconnected units for vertical movement in the frame to effect outward movement of the sections at said hinge connections.

5. An awning including, a frame, upper and lower sections having hinged interconnection, said sections having side bars provided with a series of groove-like recesses, louvers having'ends disposed in the recesses of said side bars, tie rods between selected louvers to retain the louvers in said recesses, means hinging the upper section in the frame to swing outwardly from the frame, means guiding the lower section for vertical and pivotal movement in the frame to effect outward movement of the sections at said hinge connection, a lifting cord attached to the lower section, and a guide for said cord adapted for attachment to a portion of a window to which the awning is installed whereby a pulling force applied to the cord effects movement of the sections in the frame. I

6. An awning including, a frame, a plurality of units in the frame comprising an upper section and a lower section having hinged connection with the upper section, means connecting the sections of the units together, means hinging the upper portions of the interconnected units in the frame to swing outwardl from the frame, means guiding the lower portions of the interconnected units for vertical movement in the frame to effect outward "movement of the hinge connections between said sections, a transparent panel removably carried by each of the sections whereby the awning is-adapted to be used as a storm sash, a lifting cord attached to the lower section, and a guide for said cord adapted for attachment to a portion of a window to which the awning is installed whereby a pulling force applied to the cord effects movement of the interconnected units in the frame.

7. An awning including, an upper section having side bars, louvers connecting the side bars, a lower section having similar side bars, louvers connecting the side bars of the lower section, hinge means connecting the side bars of the sections, a support for swinging mounting of the upper section, guide means for the lower section to effect hinging of said hinge means when the lower section is raised in said guide means, means for raising the lower section in the guide means, and means attached to the upper section and cooperating with the raising means to anchor the sections in adjusted position.

8. An awning including, upper and lower sections having side bars provided with a series of groove-like recesses, louvers having ends disposed in the recesses of said side bars, tie rods between selected louvers to retain said louvers in said recesses, and means hinging the sections together with the hinging axis coaxial with the plane of a lowermost louver in the upper section.

9. An awning. including, an upper section having side bars, louvers connecting the side bars, a lower section having similar side bars, louvers connecting the side bars of the lower section, tongues on the abutting ends of the side bars and hinge pins extending through said tongues, a frame, pins projecting from the side bars of the upper section and having .pivotal mounting in sockets of the frame for swinging mounting of the upper section, and guide means in the frame for the lower section to effect hinging of said sections when the lower section is raised in the frame.

10. An awning including, an upper section having side bars, louvers connecting the side bars, a lower section having similar side bars, louvers connecting the side bars of the lower section, tongues on the abutting ends of the side bars and hinge pins extending through said tongues, a frame, pins projecting from the side bars of the upper section and having pivotal mounting in sockets of the frame for swinging mounting of the upper section, guide grooves in "the sides of the frame, and pins projecting from the lower section into the guide grooves.

11. An awning including, an upper section having side bars, louvers connecting the side bars, a lower section having similar side bars, louvers connecting the side bars of the lower section, tongues on the abutting ends of the side bars and hinge pins extending through said tongues, a frame, pins projecting from the side bars of the upper section and having pivotal mounting in sockets of the frame for swinging mounting of the upper section, guide grooves in the sides of the frame, and pins projecting from the lower section into the guide grooves, said pins being of a length to space the sections from the frame and the tongues from rubbing against each other.

12. An awning including, an -upper louvered section and a lower louverecl section, hinge means connecting said sections, a frame, means hinging the upper section in the frame at the top thereof, means for guiding the lower portion 01' the lower section in the frame, means for raising the lower section in the guide means, and means attached to the upper section and cooperating with the raising means to anchor the sections in ad- TANDY BURR THURMAN.

5 justed position. 

